Laser hair removal uses micronized laser beams to target individual follicles of hair in your scalp and remove it by heating up their pigment, similar to snapping a rubber band against your skin or experiencing mild sunburn sensations.
Pain levels vary depending on body part and sensitivity, though most people can tolerate treatment without major discomfort. You can minimize your discomfort by taking some simple steps before your appointment:.
Numbing Cream
Laser hair removal is one of the most effective cosmetic treatments to permanently get rid of unwanted hair, yet can also be quite painful. To make the experience less agonizing, many dermatology practices and spas offer laser services; therefore, numbing cream is available from these locations and works by blocking nerve endings in the skin to stop receiving pain signals during laser treatments. Numbing cream is also relatively affordable and easy to apply before an appointment session.
Numbing creams can be very effective, yet take time to take effect. Therefore, it is vital that you select a high-quality cream with fast results; one which contains lidocaine or other fast-acting elements as well as one that’s non-greasy and non-sticky in order to ensure it can be removed easily without leaving behind residue on the laser device.
Not only can numbing creams help ease laser hair removal pain, but another effective strategy for mitigating discomfort during this treatment is applying a cold compress or ice pack directly before your appointment. The cool sensation will numb your skin and allow you to relax during treatment while at the same time decreasing swelling and inflammation.
Make an appointment with your dermatologist or medical spa to obtain a dynamic cooling device, which blows a cool mist of cryogen onto the area to numb it and provide pain relief. This numbing effect should last several minutes and make laser hair removal less uncomfortable.
After several unsuccessful laser hair removal treatments, try using a topical numbing agent containing lidocaine as a topical numbing agent. These creams have proven highly effective and come highly recommended from dermatologists. Most drugstores sell them without needing a valid prescription; simply apply to your skin prior to beginning laser hair removal treatment.
Make sure that you get enough rest before your laser hair removal treatment begins, as not doing so may negatively affect your body systems and make pain receptors more sensitive during laser hair removal sessions.
Avoiding Caffeine
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective method to eliminate unwanted hair. A handheld device equipped with a laser diode helps target and destroy hair follicles beneath the skin surface, leading to permanent reduction of unwanted hair growth over time. Preparing for laser hair removal requires taking several steps that will make the treatment more comfortable, starting with applying numbing cream to the area that will be treated, which will numb skin and make for an easier procedure. Before your laser appointment, it is important to stay away from caffeine for at least 24 hours prior. Caffeine can make nerves more sensitive than usual and increase discomfort; by giving your body time to flush itself of caffeine beforehand, treatment will go much smoother.
Before going in for laser hair removal, it is also wise to avoid products containing alcohol or caffeine such as retinoids, alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids and vitamin C products as these may irritate your skin further and make it more sensitive.
An additional key step to successful laser hair removal is getting enough sleep the night before your appointment. Achieve this will help reduce tension in both body and mind, which in turn decreases pain threshold during laser hair removal sessions.
Women should avoid scheduling laser treatments during their menstrual cycles due to fluctuating hormones affecting how you respond during laser treatments. If this cannot be avoided, try scheduling it after it has finished instead.
If you are taking antibiotics, it would be prudent to reschedule your laser hair removal appointment until a later date. Antibiotics can irritate the skin, increasing the chances of side effects during laser hair removal treatment and leading to more scratching post-treatment, which may exacerbate irritation or itching and lead to inflammation and scarring. Ice packs or over-the-counter medication may help manage any itchiness experienced post-treatment.
Avoiding Sunlight
Though it may be tempting to head out for a beach day or sunbathe after laser hair removal, it’s wise to stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible in order to minimize serious skin damage. Laser treatments subject your skin to blasts of concentrated light that penetrate deep beneath the surface, warming hair follicles. Being exposed directly to sunlight after such treatment could result in permanent hyperpigmentation or worse – skin cancer!
At least 2-3 weeks following laser hair removal, it’s wise to limit exposure to direct sunlight. Furthermore, use of high SPF sunscreen is necessary. We suggest Restorative Gel as an ideal product that soothes skin irritations caused by histamine reactions, sunburns, thermal burns razor burn eczema psoriasis rosacea etc.
As part of your preparation for laser hair removal, it’s crucial that you follow all of the recommendations your practitioner provides in order to minimize discomfort during your appointment. This means shaving the area a day or two beforehand and forgoing other hair removal methods like waxing or plucking. In addition, avoid skincare products containing irritants like retinoids and glycolic acid during this timeframe as well as staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water; doing this may reduce discomfort during your procedure.
If you tend to suffer from histamine reactions, taking an over-the-counter antihistamine such as Benadryl or Zyrtec prior to your laser hair removal session could help alleviate symptoms such as itching, redness, swelling and hives. Furthermore, cool compresses or soothing creams should be applied post procedure in order to minimize discomfort and expedite recovery time.
Avoiding Medication
Laser hair removal is an effective and safe solution for eliminating unwanted hair. Unlike traditional methods like shaving, waxing and plucking which damage the skin, laser removal does not cause permanent hair reduction in all types of skin and requires multiple sessions for its effects to become permanent. When planning laser hair removal treatments it is essential that all medications or supplements that could interfere with results be avoided as this could interfere with laser results and could harm unborn children – therefore those pregnant or trying to become pregnant should always consult a physician beforehand as laser treatment could potentially pose risks.
First step of laser hair removal involves cleaning the treatment area and applying topical numbing cream if necessary. Next, a medical specialist focuses a beam of high-energy light onto desired area to cause sensation similar to an elastic band snapping against skin; some patients experience increased discomfort at certain parts of their bodies than others; treatment time can vary between 15 minutes and over an hour, depending on size of area being addressed.
Before beginning laser hair removal, it is advised to refrain from using products and treatments which darken skin tone, such as sunless skin lightening creams and tanning beds, for six weeks prior. These treatments may disrupt hair follicles and make it harder for laser to reach root of hairs; additionally it’s wise to refrain from alcohol and caffeine consumption which could lower pain tolerance leading to an unpleasant laser hair removal experience.
Visit a clinic with skilled practitioners trained to use laser technology. Many lower-priced clinics utilize inferior machines without the proper knowledge or skill sets required to safely perform laser hair removal treatments safely and effectively, leading to uncomfortable treatments that could possibly increase risks such as skin lightening or darkening, herpes simplex virus (HSV), blistering, or scarring. When selecting your laser hair removal clinic make sure it employs trained practitioners utilizing cutting edge laser equipment with expertise that has undergone extensive training – many low-priced clinics utilize inferior machines while not having enough skills needed for safe or effective hair removal treatments safely or effectively performed, this could result in uncomfortable treatments – making sure it’s best if it comes down to selecting an established facility with experienced practitioners on board ensuring you achieve the best outcome and reduced complications like skin lightening/darening/blistering/scarring effects due to ineffective laser hair removal treatments from inferior machines or inexperienced practitioners with inadequate skill to deliver treatment safely – this way ensures optimal hair removal results while minimizing complications like skin lightening/dartening effects as well as potential skin lightening/darkening effects or herpes simplex herpes simplex herpes simplex simplex infection/blistering or scarring issues can occur less likely!
